Voltage Regulator Phase Control Units Reduce Power Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators for motor vehicle batteries suffer from excessive electric power dissipation and complex control systems, particularly in systems using power MOS switches.
Innovation Solution
A simplified voltage regulator and generator assembly that employs phase-voltage control units with rectifier diodes and electronic switches, where each phase control unit connects to phase windings shifted by 180 electrical degrees, using Schottky diodes and power MOS switches controlled by a voltage sensing circuit with hysteresis to reduce power loss and simplify control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power MOS switches are used in the voltage regulator, then power dissipation is reduced compared to SCR switches, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rectifier function and the switching function into a single integrated circuit structure. The rectifier diodes and power MOS switches are merged in the same circuit board, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining low power dissipation characteristics of power MOS switches
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: rectification, voltage regulation, and power switching. The same circuit components serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional specialized components and simplifying the overall control system architecture
2Ease of operation
If a three-phase voltage regulator with electronic switches is used, then charging control is improved, but electric power dissipation increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the switching devices by using power MOS switches instead of traditional SCR switches. This parameter change results in lower on-resistance and reduced power dissipation while maintaining effective charging control capability through voltage-based switching
3Device complexity
If phase windings are connected with 180 electrical degrees shift, then structural simplification is achieved, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential relationships between corresponding phase windings by connecting them with 180-degree phase shift. This allows the use of simpler control circuits that rely on voltage equality rather than complex phase angle control, reducing structural complexity while maintaining adequate control precision through voltage-based feedback
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces electric power dissipation and simplifies the control of electronic switches, enhancing the efficiency and structural simplicity of the voltage regulator and generator assembly for motor vehicle battery charging.
Implementation Method 1
each phase control unit having rectifier diodes between inlet and outlet terminals connectable to phase windings of the magneto generator
Implementation Method 2
each of the inlet terminals of the phase control units being connectable to ground by an electronic short-circuiting switch
Implementation Method 3
a battery-voltage detecting and to a battery-voltage measuring circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A voltage regulator for charging a battery (BA) for motor vehicles, powered by a three-phase voltage generator (F1, F2; F3); the voltage regulator comprises, for each phase (A, B, C) of the voltage generator (F1, F2; F3), a control circuit (1A, 1B, 1C) for controlling the charging voltage of the battery (BA) having first and second inlet terminals (I1, I2) fed with voltages in phase opposition with one another. Each inlet terminal (I1, I2) of each voltage control circuit (1A, 1B, 1C), can be selectively connected to the positive terminal of the battery (BA) by rectifier bridge (D1, D2) and to a ground circuit (GR) by an electronic short-circuiting switch (T1, T2) having a control electrode which connected, by a resistor (R1, R2), to the other inlet terminal (I1, I2) of the same voltage control circuit (1A, 1B, 1C), and to a measuring circuit (4) of the charging voltage of the battery (BA) by a series circuit comprising a resistor (R3, R4) and a decoupling diode (D3, D4).